STAVANGER, Norway – In a ceremony held at NATO's Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) on September 11, 2024, Polish Army Major General Piotr Malinowski handed over command to his successor, German Army Major General Ruprecht von Butler.

Major General Ruprecht von Butler, who takes over as the JWC’s 11th Commander, has most recently served as the Commander of the 10th Armoured Division in Veitshöchheim, Germany.

French Air and Space Force General Philippe Lavigne, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), presided over the change of command.

Established in 2003, the Joint Warfare Centre is a cornerstone of NATO's collective training infrastructure, serving as the premier facility for full-spectrum joint operational- and strategic-level warfare. Its motto “Together, we make NATO better” is a great reminder of the Centre’s important role within the Alliance. With a workforce comprising over 260 staff members from 17 NATO member nations, the JWC is dedicated to ensuring the Alliance's readiness and effectiveness.

As the day holds special significance in NATO’s history, the change of command ceremony began with a moment of silence honouring the heroes and victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

After the moment of silence came the official changing of command and passing of the JWC Flag, which represents the Centre’s proud history, tradition, and accomplishments since its establishment on October 23, 2003. Major General Malinowski accepted the JWC Flag from Senior Chief Warrant Officer Andrzej Woltmann, the Centre’s Command Senior Enlisted Leader, and passed it to General Lavigne, who in turn handed it to the incoming Commander, Major General von Butler, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility and authority.

 

 

General Lavigne then welcomed Major General von Butler and showed his appreciation for Major General Malinowski’s achievements, including the development of full operational capability for wargame design, the successful execution of major exercises like STEADFAST JUPITER and STEADFAST JACKAL, and certifying NATO's first Allied Reaction Force Headquarters with the first iteration of STEADFAST DETERRENCE.

General Lavigne spoke about the importance of the Joint Warfare Centre’s mission to maintain readiness and adaptation of NATO Command and Force Structure Headquarters through the delivery of NATO’s most complex computer-assisted command post exercises and continuous innovation in warfare development.

In referencing the first in a new series of exercises, General Lavigne mentioned the STEADFAST DETERRENCE 24 exercise that took place in May at the Joint Warfare Centre: “This was the first of its kind for NATO and was developed to look at real-time deterrence, as the Alliance moved to a campaigning continuum.” He continued by saying that it “marked a historic moment for the Alliance, since the certification of the Allied Reaction Force is a monumental achievement for NATO’s new force model.”

The JWC plays a pivotal role in NATO's training and development efforts. It delivers collective training and exercises, including the largest and most complex computer-assisted command post exercises, to prepare forces for both collective defence and crisis response operations. Additionally, the Centre serves as a hub for warfare development, promoting joint operational doctrine, fostering experimentation, and supporting the implementation of NATO's lessons learned process.

In his farewell speech, outgoing Commander Major General Malinowski reflected on his tenure at the JWC. He said: “My time at the helm of this organization has brought me countless insights, challenges and achievements. It has been a very busy and highly rewarding time, during an era of upheaval and change within the global security environment.”

He added: “The Joint Warfare Centre plays a pivotal role in ensuring that our Alliance is ready to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, and that readiness may never have been more important than now.”  

 

“Assuming command of the Joint Warfare Centre is a humbling experience, and an honour that I take on with great enthusiasm and ambition, but also respect. I have learned already how fantastic the team is, which is working here for NATO’s readiness and advantage. As One Team, we shall strive every day to render the JWC and NATO even more fit for today and tomorrow.”

 

Major General Ruprecht von Butler

Commander Joint Warfare Centre

 

Major General von Butler, who has a degree on industrial engineering, was the Chief of Division I, Directorate-General for Forces Policy at the Federal Ministry of Defence from 2018 to 2021, where he was responsible for forces readiness, space operations and joint forces planning. In 2021, he was assigned as Commander of the 10th Armoured Division in Veitshöchheim, before taking command of the JWC.

In his first address as Commander JWC, Major General von Butler stated, “Assuming command of the Joint Warfare Centre is a humbling experience, and an honour that I take on with great enthusiasm and ambition, but also respect. I have learned already how fantastic the team is, which is working here for NATO’s readiness and advantage.”

“As One Team, we shall strive every day to render the JWC and NATO even more fit for today and tomorrow.”

As Major General von Butler assumes command, the Joint Warfare Centre is poised to continue its mission of providing immersive, realistic multi-domain training and integrating cutting-edge technology to keep the Alliance prepared for the challenges and threats of tomorrow. The Centre's commitment to excellence and innovation will be instrumental in ensuring NATO's ability to adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving security environment.

 

BIOGRAPHY: Major General Ruprecht von Butler

Senior military and civil service officers from across NATO and Norway, the diplomatic community in Oslo and distinguished guests from Germany and Poland, the Centre’s international staff and their families, as well as many dignitaries from Stavanger attended the ceremony.

The guests included Mrs Lone Merethe Solheim, County Governor of Rogaland; the Mayors of Stavanger, Sandnes, Sola and Randaberg; Mr Hans Vik, Chief of Police; and Major General Trond Kotte, representing Host Nation Norway and the Norwegian Armed Forces. Also present was Vice Admiral Jan C. Kaack, Chief of the German Navy, representing the Chief of Defence Germany. The Royal Norwegian Naval Forces Band, led by Chief Petty Officer Eivind Sandgrind, supported the JWC’s change of command with a great selection of music.

 

Photos from the Change of Command Ceremony